Sad News for the Fouts' Family

UTKevinAcee: Condolences to Dan Fouts and his wife, whose son has lost a battle with cancer. Dan is a good man who has suffered along with Nick. (15 minutes ago from TweetDeck, retweeted by you and 43 others)

I wasn't aware his son was unwell. Very very sad RIP Nick. Thinking of the Fouts' family and their friends. No parent should have to bury their child...

I hope that Dan gets the privacy everyone deserves at such a difficult time. I wonder if he'll find peace in his work or need to take time away from announcing to collect himself/his family. Truly sad.

My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the Fouts family. There is NO pain worse than that of burying your own child......eventually you work through it, you get past it, but you never, ever get over it. There is always somebody missing from the dining table, someone who doesn't get birthday or holiday presents......it's awful. God keep this family in the palm of His hand.

Dominic Daniel Fouts passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2012, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 34.

He was born in San Diego, California on July 16, 1978 where he lived until he moved to Sisters in 1991 and in later years lived in Seattle and Portland. He is survived by his loving family: father Daniel F. Fouts, mother Julianne M. Fouts, wife Sally Fouts, stepmom Jeri Fouts, sister Suzanne Krueger, brother-in-law Jesse Krueger, brother Ryan Burbank, sister Shannon Fouts and niece Lily Krueger.

He graduated from Sisters High School in 1996 and from the University of San Diego with a degree in Communications in 2001, and attained the degree in Masters of Arts in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University in 2009. Whether you called him Dominic, Dom, Nick, the Dominator, Nitro or Dominicolus it didn't matter to him. What you could call him for sure would be extraordinary.

A true student-athlete, Nick excelled in both the classroom and the athletic arena. He achieved the rare triple honor of being named the Student of the Year in both math and science at Sisters High School, while also earning honors as Athlete of the Year. An outstanding leader, he quarterbacked the Outlaw football team, was point guard on the basketball team and was a member of the 1996 3A state champion 4x400 meter relay team.

After receiving his masters, Nick settled in as a science teacher in the Greater Seattle school system. He was a devoted and innovative teacher throughout the school year and camp counselor in the summertime. Teaching and mentoring children was always the highest priority for him. Outside the classroom, his passion was for the outdoors and for adventure. It was not uncommon to see Nick and his pals scaling one of the Sisters Mountains and snowboarding down, only to go back for more. His love of the surf rivaled that of his winter sports as he braved the chilly waters of the Oregon Coast and savored the warm swells of Southern California and Mexico.

He was also an avid traveler, and loved exploring new places and cultures. His travels took him to France, Spain, London, the Dominican Republic, Canada, and most recently, a return trip to Italy in May and June. He was wise, fearless, intelligent, courageous, sentimental and thoughtful, and he possessed an exceptional sense of humor. He was a man of loyalty, heart and depth. And it is all these traits and more that served him so well during his three year battle with cancer. We are blessed by his life and knowing that in his later years his fight allowed all of us to come together in a way that it is not always possible for family and friends. Adversity has a way of altering perspective, sometimes in ways that surprise us, just like Dominic.

Dominic is survived by his loving family, many dedicated friends and a phenomenal team of doctors and health professionals. Our entire family expresses our deepest thanks to the wonderful circle of people who cared so much about Dominic, and who continue to give us comfort, support and love during these difficult days we are truly blessed. A Celebration of Dominic's life will take place on Saturday, August 18th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Sisters High School Auditorium in Sisters, Oregon, followed by a reception at Aspen Lakes Lodge at Aspen Lakes Golf Course.

Dominic Daniel Fouts passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2012, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 34.

He was born in San Diego, California on July 16, 1978 where he lived until he moved to Sisters in 1991 and in later years lived in Seattle and Portland. He is survived by his loving family: father Daniel F. Fouts, mother Julianne M. Fouts, wife Sally Fouts, stepmom Jeri Fouts, sister Suzanne Krueger, brother-in-law Jesse Krueger, brother Ryan Burbank, sister Shannon Fouts and niece Lily Krueger.

He graduated from Sisters High School in 1996 and from the University of San Diego with a degree in Communications in 2001, and attained the degree in Masters of Arts in Teaching from Seattle Pacific University in 2009. Whether you called him Dominic, Dom, Nick, the Dominator, Nitro or Dominicolus it didn't matter to him. What you could call him for sure would be extraordinary.

A true student-athlete, Nick excelled in both the classroom and the athletic arena. He achieved the rare triple honor of being named the Student of the Year in both math and science at Sisters High School, while also earning honors as Athlete of the Year. An outstanding leader, he quarterbacked the Outlaw football team, was point guard on the basketball team and was a member of the 1996 3A state champion 4x400 meter relay team.

After receiving his masters, Nick settled in as a science teacher in the Greater Seattle school system. He was a devoted and innovative teacher throughout the school year and camp counselor in the summertime. Teaching and mentoring children was always the highest priority for him. Outside the classroom, his passion was for the outdoors and for adventure. It was not uncommon to see Nick and his pals scaling one of the Sisters Mountains and snowboarding down, only to go back for more. His love of the surf rivaled that of his winter sports as he braved the chilly waters of the Oregon Coast and savored the warm swells of Southern California and Mexico.

He was also an avid traveler, and loved exploring new places and cultures. His travels took him to France, Spain, London, the Dominican Republic, Canada, and most recently, a return trip to Italy in May and June. He was wise, fearless, intelligent, courageous, sentimental and thoughtful, and he possessed an exceptional sense of humor. He was a man of loyalty, heart and depth. And it is all these traits and more that served him so well during his three year battle with cancer. We are blessed by his life and knowing that in his later years his fight allowed all of us to come together in a way that it is not always possible for family and friends. Adversity has a way of altering perspective, sometimes in ways that surprise us, just like Dominic.

Dominic is survived by his loving family, many dedicated friends and a phenomenal team of doctors and health professionals. Our entire family expresses our deepest thanks to the wonderful circle of people who cared so much about Dominic, and who continue to give us comfort, support and love during these difficult days we are truly blessed. A Celebration of Dominic's life will take place on Saturday, August 18th, at 5:00 p.m. at the Sisters High School Auditorium in Sisters, Oregon, followed by a reception at Aspen Lakes Lodge at Aspen Lakes Golf Course.